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Safety and financial security are connected for survivors of domestic violence who are enduring financial abuse. Survivors living with a disability experience abuse that can uniquely control their health and finances. Abuse may come from a survivor’s partner and/or caregiver.

Faith can be an important part of a survivor’s journey of healing, but in some cases it can also complicate their path to safety. Some survivors may be faced with abusers who manipulate religious beliefs and religious teachings or faith leaders who lack the knowledge to provide counsel, creating additional barriers to escaping the abuse.

The Administration’s proposals to narrowly define gender as biological, ignoring the realities of transgender and gender non-binary individuals, are disgraceful, ill-conceived and would have far-reaching negative consequences. The proposals also threaten hard-won advances in civil rights laws prohibiting gender-based discrimination.

Countless survivors, and their families, friends and advocates, are watching the Senate, to see what kind of tone they will set, and so far it’s not a good one. Senators should be leading by example. And that means treating Dr. Ford with respect.

Survivors of domestic violence experience increased economic barriers. t is important to recognize some of the major concerns that some survivors may have while seeking financial stability when trying to start over after experiencing financial abuse within the context of domestic violence.

I’ve been dating my boyfriend for almost a year now and our relationship has gotten really bad. My friend thinks I should get a restraining order, but he’s not stalking me or hitting me so I’m not sure if I’m able to get one.

Under guidance distributed on Wednesday, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented the Attorney General’s suggestions by instructing their staff to automatically reject applications from domestic violence victims seeking asylum. “This instruction could be a death sentence for thousands of women who courageously flee their home countries in an effort to escape horrific abuse,” said Kim Gandy, President and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV).

LGBTQ survivors face unique barriers to safety due to a lack of LGBTQ-specific resources and a hesitancy to involve law enforcement systems and personnel that often struggle to understand the dynamics of domestic violence within the LGBTQ community. It is critical that LGBTQ survivors have access to inclusive and identity-affirming services.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions ruled today in the Matter of A-B, which will create even greater barriers for victims of domestic violence who are seeking asylum in the United States because their home countries were unable or unwilling to protect them.

Today, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) commends the introduction of H.R. 6014, which would reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) and ensure funding for services to domestic violence victims.

On May 8, Eric Schneiderman announced that he would resign his post as New York Attorney General after four women with whom he had been romantically involved reported that he had physically assaulted them.

“FVPSA reaches into almost every community in our country as a lifeline for survivors in crisis. This critical federal program is the foundation upon which all domestic violence services are built and delivered,” said Kim Gandy.

This year’s May Share-A-Haircut program marks the fifth year the salon and the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) have partnered to spread awareness of domestic violence and offer survivors a free haircut.

NNEDV celebrates the hard-won and desperately needed resources for survivors included in the omnibus. NNEDV remains concerned, however, with the impact of the bill on immigrant survivors of violence and urges Congress to act.

Reproductive abuse, coercion, and sexual assault are tactics of abuse facing many survivors of domestic violence, even though these tactics are not as commonly known or understood as emotional or physical abuse.

“By transferring money out of VOCA into a number of other Department of Justice grant programs, the Administration’s proposal would reduce VOCA victim service funding by over 10 percent,” said Monica McLaughlin, Director of Public Policy at NNEDV.

NNEDV was honored to partner with Desis for Progress (DFP) for a panel on Domestic Violence in Desi Communities to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The term Desi refers to the people, cultures, and communities of South Asia.

We invited you to join us and get involved this month through our annual #31n31 campaign: Beyond the Buzzwords. We are digging into what common buzzwords in the domestic violence prevention field mean to us.

Allstate will partner with over 250 nonprofit organizations for its annual Purple Purse Challenge. This fundraising challenge is aimed to assist organizations in providing financial empowerment services to survivors.

On June 15, 2017, communities across the United States and around the world recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: an international observance held each year to bring visibility to interpersonal violence experienced by older adults.

Wynn was hired at the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department in 1978 and he started teaching in 1982 on best practices for addressing domestic violence. In the early 1990s Wynn became the co-creator of the largest domestic violence unit in history.

We invite Domestic and Sexual Violence Programs, Homeless and Housing Service Programs, and CoCs to register for webinars in this series, designed to help you build strong partnerships and effective community responses to ending homelessness.

Through technology and our use of social media, we can quickly and easily connect with other people. However, typical activities such as tweeting, updating a Facebook status, or using a phone’s GPS to find local restaurants can all be misused by abusers to stalk, harass, surveil, and control victims.

Partner organizations recognized an urgency to collect data and identify trends based on reports from their constituencies signaling increased fear and reluctance on the part of immigrant survivors to seek assistance from law enforcement or the courts, and uncertainty on the part of advocates on how to advise immigrant survivors.

Domestic violence programs provide desperately needed services to individuals who are very often fleeing for their lives. Shelters provide a safe haven in a time of fear and uncertainty, working closely with families, communities, law enforcement, health care workers, and other advocates.

NNEDV honors the achievements and cultural contributions of Asian/Pacific Islanders (API) in the United States, using this month to bring attention to issues of domestic violence in API communities and reflect on the path to ensuring safety.

This year’s May Share-A-Haircut program marks the fourth year the salon and the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) have partnered to spread awareness of domestic violence and offer survivors a free haircut.

If and when she is open to it, encourage her to talk to a domestic violence advocate – either at the local domestic violence program in your area or through the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233).

Every semester, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) is enhanced by an inspiring, driven, and talented group of interns. This spring was no exception! Our work to end domestic violence is supported by interns and we are beyond grateful for their contributions. And now, let us introduce the spring 2017 dream team:

For every haircut purchased at one of the Hair Cuttery’s nearly 900 salons, a free haircut certificate will be donated to a victim of domestic violence through a network of state coalitions and local programs nationwide.

We must recognize children as direct victims of domestic violence and understand the severe psychological trauma that results from abuse. A better understanding of domestic violence, trauma, and parricide could produce significant changes in the way criminal justice professionals respond to children.

While the vast majority of sexual assaults are committed by someone who is not a current or former partner of the victim, the root causes of all forms of gender-based violence are the same, so work to end one kind of victimization will have a positive impact and help end other forms of violence as well.

A better understanding of depression and how it directly impacts survivors of domestic violence can shift the stigma associated with mental health and trauma. Ultimately, it may lead more survivors with depression to seek the services they need.

Positively Safe mobilizes domestic violence and HIV service providers and allies by building partnerships, increasing capacity, and enhancing linkage to care for persons exposed to domestic violence and HIV.

The proposed framework, though scarce on details, includes proposed topline cuts that could impact programs that serve survivors, such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA). Together, these cuts would reduce the social safety net and expose low-income and vulnerable populations, including victims of domestic violence, to greater insecurity.

Today and every day, we are inspired by the immense collective strength of the GNWS, and the global movement to end gender-based violence. We will continue to fight for global peace and safety through ending violence against women and girls.

Society will only be successful in combating sexism, racism, and other forms of oppression if privileged individuals also stand up and demand a more equitable and just world. In the meantime, keep your head up, keep fighting for a better world…

NNEDV joins allies across the country in calling on the federal government to swiftly condemn ICE’s action in this case. Without swift condemnation from the Administration, this case may set a dangerous precedent and further silence and marginalize victims of violence.

With artists such as Gloria Gaynor, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Nina Simone, John Legend, and Sara Bareilles, just to name a few, our #EmpowermentPlaylist can be a powerful tool for social change, healing, and creative expression.

“I live at the intersection of being Black and being a woman. It’s hard to feel safe in any space. If I woke up this morning and gender-based violence was completely eradicated, I would focus on racial injustices.”

During Black History Month, NNEDV reaffirms its commitment to center survivors of color and their many experiences. Domestic violence affects us all, and together, we must dismantle the many intersectional systemic oppressions, such as racism and sexism, that continue to present barriers to safety for all survivors.

After disclosing that she is a survivor of sexual assault, Lady Gaga has been an avid advocate for survivors everywhere. NNEDV shares her passion for equality. We believe this can be achieved by holding abusers accountable and by lifting up survivors’ experiences, which include many facets and intersections, such as mental health.

First loves are often exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time. Whether in middle school, high school, college, or beyond, navigating a romantic relationship for the first time can be challenging and confusing.

VAWA was passed with bipartisan support to improve the law enforcement response to violence against women and create specialized victim services. VAWA has been incredibly effective in saving lives and money.

It’s not okay for your girlfriend to be so controlling of what you wear and who you speak to. It’s also not okay that she makes you feel like you always have to immediately respond to her texts and that she went through your phone without your permission.

NNEDV is proud to work in coalition with organizations offering resources and policy solutions to help migrant survivors heal from trauma and find a path towards living in peace and safety. We remember the refugees and migrants who have lost their lives while trying to reach safety, and the continued risks and safety concerns for these individuals once they have migrated.

In the words of Justice Ginsburg, “We [women] should not be held back from pursuing our full talents, from contributing what we could contribute to the society, because we fit into a certain mold ― because we belong to a group that historically has been the object of discrimination.”

NNEDV’s DV Counts National Census of Domestic Violence Services found that in just one day in 2015, while more than 71,828 victims of domestic violence received services, over 12,000 requests for services went unmet due to lack of funding and resources. Of those unmet requests, 63 percent were for safe housing.

The goal of our Positively Safe project is to address some of the unique challenges and barriers facing domestic violence survivors who are living with HIV, and to build capacity around the intersections of domestic violence and HIV/AIDS by developing partnerships between domestic violence programs and HIV providers

NNEDV strives to create a social, political, and economic environment in which domestic violence no longer exists; this includes acknowledging that children are also victims of domestic violence, and working to develop comprehensive solutions.

To #CenterEachOther means to support the expertise that we and the survivors we serve every day bring to the table. “Centering each other” makes domestic violence a national concern, promoting peace and safety through every community and every home. Together we are stronger.

Victims living with HIV don’t stay in abusive relationships because they are okay with the abuse; they stay because multiple interpersonal, community, and institutional barriers, such as stigma and a lack of resources, eliminates other options.

CARRY LIGHT is a national campaign launched by ALEX AND ANI that celebrates peace, love, and unity. CARRY LIGHT reminds us that we each have the power to create positive change, because “when we CARRY LIGHT, we ignite the light in others, and create one light indivisible.”

The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) is once again partnering with Washington, DC’s best chefs, craft brewers, cider makers, cheese professionals, sommeliers, and mixologists in order to raise awareness during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Every October, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) joins with our partners, supporters, and allies across the country to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). DVAM is an opportunity for us all to take a stand against domestic violence. We invite you to join us and get involved this month…

On September 27, recognized as National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) recognizes the risk factors that make male victims of domestic violence in same-sex relationships susceptible to contracting HIV.

On this awareness day, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) and the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL), call attention to the unique needs of an aging society. While it is necessary to continue to educate younger generations on HIV, it is also important to note the changing face of those living with HIV.

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was passed in 1994 under then-Senator Joe Biden, to address and improve our nation’s response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and ensure that survivors and their families have access to resources.

Violence against women and girls prevents them from participating fully in society, and has negative consequences for families and communities. This world needs gender equality to create a sustainable future.

Violent crime victimization on tribal lands is significantly higher than in the rest of the United States, and research shows that Native women and girls face a disproportionate risk of violence when compared to their non-Native peers.

Violence against women comes in many forms and, in this digital age, technology is an ever-evolving tool being misused as a tactic to perpetuate harassment, stalking, and abuse. As we strive to end gender-based violence and inequality, addressing technology safety is critical.

“Today’s decision is a victory for safety and justice. Survivors often face untold and undocumented fear, control, and abuse. When an incident of abuse leads to a conviction, we have to take it seriously and recognize it is likely part of a pattern,” – Kim Gandy, President and CEO of NNEDV

Through this year’s #DVcounts Census, we learned that while nearly 72,000 victims were served, there were also 12,197 unmet requests for services. Does this make you as angry as it makes us? Here are 5 ways you can get involved and help end domestic violence today.

Though there are concerns over privacy and security, technology can also have a positive impact for survivors of domestic violence. Technology can increase the ability for victims to access information and resources, communicate with family and friends, and receive services.

May 17th is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia day and the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) joins other anti-violence groups in supporting the safety of the LGBTQ community and opposing initiatives and policies that place members of the LGBTQ community in danger.

NNEDV recently joined crucial conversations about how women and girls of color in the United States are disproportionately impacted by institutional racism. Two events were held on Thursday, April 29 to address the extent of these issues and how to empower women and girls of color.

Hair Cuttery, the largest family-owned and operated chain of hair salons in the country, announced the donation of 55,000 haircuts to benefit survivors of domestic violence. Partnering for the past three iterations of the May Share-A-Haircut program, Hair Cuttery and NNEDV have donated 166,000 free haircuts valued at $3.65 million since 2014.

This Sunday May 8, 2016, we celebrate Mother’s Day. Moms have an incredible impact on our lives. To honor the amazing women who have helped shape and impact each of our lives, we have a challenge for you: describe your mom in just one word and share it with us on social media using #MyMom1Word and #MiMamá1Palabra.

As Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) draws to a close, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) would like to thank our colleagues who advocate for survivors of sexual violence, and address the myth that sexual assault and domestic violence are completely separate issues.

In September 2014 President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden launched It’s On Us, an education based campaign focusing on sexual assault prevention and awareness on college campuses, by advocating a cultural shift around the way sexual assault is addressed.

April 10-16, 2016 marks National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, sponsored by the Office of Victims of Crime. This year’s theme, Serving Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope., highlights how important it is that advocates build relationships and rapport with the survivors we serve.

It’s time to stop sidelining the issue of pay inequality. The wage gap between working women and men in the United States continues to perpetuate inequality. According to statistics released in 2012 by the United States Census Bureau, women are paid, on average, 78 cents for every dollar their male counterparts are paid. [1] Equal Pay Day, observed this year on April 12, represents how far into 2016 the average woman must work in order to earn what white men earned in 2015.

Hair Cuttery and the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) are joining forces for Hair Cuttery’s latest iteration of its Share-A-Haircut program. On Monday and Tuesday, May 2-3, for every haircut purchased at one of Hair Cuttery’s nearly 900 salons, a free haircut certificate will be donated to a victim of domestic violence through NNEDV’s member programs.

Youth (ages 13-24) account for 26 percent of new infections and over 50 percent of youth infected with HIV are unaware of their status. Furthermore, in 2010, Black youth accounted for an estimated 57 percent of all new HIV infections among youth in the United States, followed by Hispanic/Latino (20 percent) and white (20 percent) youth. An intersectional approach that is informed by community voices is needed in order to eradicate HIV/AIDS. Services, outreach, education, and support need to be accessible to youth in marginalized communities.

Each year, April is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). At the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), we support and honor anti-sexual assault work as an intrinsic part of working to end domestic violence, because domestic violence often includes sexual abuse. While the vast majority of sexual assaults are committed by someone who is not a current or former partner of the victim, the root causes of all forms of gender-based violence are the same, so work to end one kind of victimization will have a positive impact and help end other forms of violence as well.

Domestic violence is a pervasive, insidious, and life-threatening crime. While it is often regarded as a private, family matter—this is a misguided notion. It is time to prioritize survivors’ needs for a number of reasons—one of which is the devastating public health crisis that domestic violence presents.

Please join us for an exciting 3-day conference centering on the intersection of technology and domestic violence. Covering a wide range of technology-related issues that will be helpful to advocates, law enforcement, and legal professionals who work with survivors of abuse. National experts on these issues will be presenting, sharing their knowledge and expertise. We look forward to seeing you there!

Today, March 20th, marks National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Native women are victims of domestic and sexual violence at a higher rate than the rest of the population, increasing their chance of becoming HIV-positive.

March is Women’s History Month, a necessary awareness-raising month as the fight for equality continues. At the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), we are celebrating Women’s History Month by honoring Susan B. Anthony, one of the founding mothers of our nation’s feminist movement.

The intersection of domestic violence and HIV/AIDS is particularly fraught; silence and stigma often keep victims of both in the shadows. Victims of abuse who are living with HIV also often encounter bias, discrimination, and disenfranchisement. It is crucial to join together to better serve these individuals.

Just last week, two Argentinian women were brutally murdered while vacationing in Ecuador. While we celebrate International Women’s Day, we also remember the victims, like these young women, and so many others, who have lost their lives due to domestic and sexual violence.

NNEDV applauds the leadership and commitment of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and her co-sponsors Senator Durbin (D-IL), Senator Whitehouse (D-RI), and Senator Klobuchar (D-MN), in the introduction of S. 2552, a bill to amend the federal threats statute to include an intent requirement.

This February, during Black History Month, I am proud to have Sojourner Truth featured prominently on NNEDV’s “Feminists&Me” shirt. Her zeal for abolishing slavery and securing the rights of all women compels me to take up her quest and continue the good work she initiated more than 160 years ago.

President Obama’s 2017 budget is the final one of his presidency, and NNEDV joins advocates across the country in celebrating the president’s investments in programs that give struggling and working families more of the tools they need to succeed.

Those living with HIV continue to endure increased stigma, making it difficult to discuss their status with family, friends, and even medical providers. For Black women and men living with HIV, this stigma is compounded by negative racial stereotypes that often go hand-in-hand with this disease.

Obtaining privacy over personal data can seem almost impossible in today’s digital age. A significant amount of our lives is online, and even our offline activities seem to emerge online… somehow, whether we want it to or not.

When the media blames the victim or makes excuses for the violence, as evident in its treatment of white celebrity perpetrators, it skews our collective perspective of domestic violence, its causes, and its devastating consequences – in addition to further entrenching racism, sexism, and classism.

The deadly intersection of firearms and domestic violence is clear and well-documented. To prevent fatal violence against women, our nation needs to ensure communities have the resources to help victims of domestic abuse.

Over the past 25 years, NNEDV has helped ensure that millions of survivors find the assistance and support they need. We have helped shape the way the United States responds to domestic violence, and work to make domestic violence a national priority for policymakers, high profile businesses, and the general public.

Comments such as those made by Sarah Palin make these appalling crimes seem inconsequential. Using domestic violence as a metaphor is an outrage to the victims who endure these crimes – especially those who have died from them – and their families.

The 3rd WCWS was held from November 3-6, 2015 in The Hague, Netherlands. Hosted by the Foundation of Women’s Shelters in the Netherlands and its partners – NNEDV was honored to both present and participate as part of a large U.S. delegation.

Today the U.S. Congress passed the omnibus Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Funding bill with record investments in programs that address domestic and sexual violence, including the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) fund, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA).

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we honor the women whose lives have been taken and reaffirm our commitment to working toward a future where violence against women no longer exists.

The 3rd WCWS is being held this week in The Hague. This global conference brings together advocates from around the world to share information, collaborate, and demonstrate solidarity with survivors across all borders.

For your next meal out, please consider supporting a chef who stands firmly against domestic violence. Thank you to the chefs, mixologists, & craft brewers who generously donated their time & talents to #CTAS15!

One in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime; however, that number drastically increases for women living with HIV. More than half of women living with HIV will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. This shocking statistic is a reminder that the fields of domestic violence and HIV can longer remain disconnected.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and inspire action to help end domestic violence. We invite you to join our National Week of Action from Monday, Oct. 19 through Friday, Oct. 23!

Chefs Take a Stand will be held on October 1, 2015 at 7 p.m. at the Carnegie Library in Washington, DC. This year, CTAS will celebrate NNEDV’s 25th anniversary and kick off Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The system failed Monica Butler Johnson. It wasn’t her job to arrest, detain, prosecute, or try the man who abused her. Survivors of domestic violence want to stop the abuse, and although the accused perpetrator had recently been arrested for serious domestic violence, he had already been released, and then had then violated the terms of his release. He should not have been on the street to hurt her again.

The App Safety Center provides tips, information, and resources for the safe development and use of smartphone apps addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, harassment, and stalking.

In order to work towards preventing these mass murders, we need to first name the underlying reality of domestic violence. Perpetrators haven’t snapped from a specific “family dispute” – they are continuing their reign of terror and control. They are carrying out their plans, often clearly stated, to kill their partners and families.

Nearly 25 states have already closed these dangerous gaps in federal legislation which allow abusers freedom to access their firearms, and it is time that federal law follows suit. This legislation builds upon the successes of the Violence Against Women Act and demonstrates a continued commitment to survivors of domestic and dating violence, stalking and sexual abuse.

This award seeks to recognize an individual who encapsulates and perpetuates Diane Reese’s profound and transcendent legacy, which continues to shape and inform a collective vision of a world where violence against women no longer exists.

Today, between one-third and one-half of WomensLaw.org is translated into Spanish, including state-specific legal and safety information for fifteen U.S. states. Through funding from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), NNEDV will increase this number to eighteen and expand or update other vital resources on the website.

Today is National HIV Testing Day! Use this opportunity to get the facts, get tested, and take control of your health. Knowing your status is an important step to taking care of yourself and getting connected to life-saving healthcare.